Cliff Blankenship
Born: 4/10/1880 in Columbus, GA, USA
Died: 4/26/1956 in Oakland, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1905-04-17 | Final Game: 1909-08-18
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Clifford Douglas Blankenship
Biography
Cliff Blankenship, born in 1880, was a professional baseball player who graced the diamond during the early 20th century. His career spanned from 1905 until his final appearance on August 18, 1909. As a position player, Blankenship participated in 95 games, where he showcased a playing style characterized by speed and agility, reflected in his six stolen bases. Although he did not achieve significant power numbers, finishing his career with a batting average of .225, he contributed to his teams with a total of 49 hits and 22 RBIs.
Blankenship's tenure in baseball coincided with a transformative period in the sport, as it transitioned from the deadball era into a more offensive-oriented game. While he may not have left an indelible mark in terms of home runs, his contributions as a versatile player helped shape the dynamics of the teams he played for during a time when the game was evolving rapidly. His presence in the league during this pivotal era highlights the rich tapestry of early baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 218 | 16 | 49 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 0.225 | 0.249 | 0.252 | 0.501 | -650.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | CIN | NL | 19 | 56 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0.196 | -174.2 |
| 1907 | WSN | AL | 37 | 102 | 4 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0.225 | -312.1 |
| 1909 | WSN | AL | 39 | 60 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0.250 | -163.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 24 | 21 | 219 | 14 | 13 | 10 |
| C | 39 | 26 | 124 | 37 | 6 | 1 |
| OF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | CIN | 1B | 15 | 14 | 139 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| 1907 | WS1 | C | 22 | 21 | 87 | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| 1907 | WS1 | 1B | 9 | 7 | 80 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| 1909 | WS1 | C | 17 | 5 | 37 | 12 | 5 | 1 |
| 1909 | WS1 | OF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 41 |
| First Base | 22 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Center Field | 2 |
| Right Field | 2 |